Facts You Should Know About Weight Management
Weight Management In America
Weight management in America is a priority for many and each year, new insights reveal more about why people want to lose weight, the methods they’re using, and the obstacles they face.
Whether you're a health enthusiast or just looking to improve your well-being, this guide offers a look at the current weight management landscape in the U.S.

The Growing Weight Management Interest in America
Today, nearly half of U.S. adults are actively working on managing their weight.
Data from recent years shows that 49.1% of adults tried to lose weight, reflecting how widespread this goal has become as people prioritize their health.
How Many Americans are Overweight or Have Obesity?
In the U.S., a significant percentage of adults are classified as overweight or have obesity.
Approximately 30.7% are overweight, while a larger portion—41.9%—meet criteria for obesity.
These numbers highlight the importance of managing weight for overall health.
Obesity classification is based on the Body Mass Index (BMI), where a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight, and a BMI of 30 or higher is categorized as obesity.
These classifications are helpful markers, but remember, they don’t tell the whole health story.

How Body Mass Index (BMI) Is Calculated?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation used to determine if a person has a healthy body weight based on their height.
It’s calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters (kg/m²).
For adults, a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy.
Adults 25 to 29.9 indicates overweight,
30 or above is classified as obesity.
While BMI is a widely used screening tool, it doesn’t consider factors like muscle mass, bone density, and distribution of fat, so it's sometimes best combined with other health assessments for a complete picture.
Who Has Higher Rates of Obesity—Men or Women?
When looking at weight differences by gender, men are more often overweight than women.
However, when it comes to severe obesity, women have higher rates.
Around 11.5% of women experience severe obesity compared to 6.9% of men, suggesting unique health needs and challenges for each gender.
Age Groups and Obesity: Who is Most Affected?
Middle-aged adults, those between 40 to 59, currently experience the highest obesity rates, with 44.3% meeting the criteria.
Older adults (60+) and younger adults (20–39) also have significant rates of obesity, showing that weight management is a concern across all age groups.
Are Certain Age Groups More Likely to Try Losing Weight?
Yes! While all age groups have people interested in weight management, young adults (20–39) and middle-aged adults (40–59) are the most likely to try shedding pounds.
Over half of these groups are working on their weight, while about 42.7% of adults over 60 are actively trying to lose weight.

Do Men or Women Try to Lose Weight More?
Women show a greater tendency to engage in weight loss efforts compared to men.
In fact, 58% of women are trying to lose weight, while 42% of men have the same goal.
This pattern is consistent across various demographics, showing how women are generally more focused on weight management.
Popular Methods for Weight Loss: What Really Works?
The most common approach to weight management is combining diet and exercise.
A significant 62.9% of people use this method, balancing physical activity with reduced food intake.
Another popular choice, adopted by 50.4%, is increasing fruit, vegetable, and salad consumption.
Other approaches include drinking more water and cutting down on fast food, highlighting a trend toward multi-strategy efforts.
Studies show that most people use two or more methods to manage their weight, which can increase success rates.
About 88.3% of participants reported using multiple strategies for weight loss.
Are Prescription Weight Loss Medications on the Rise?
Interest in safe and effective prescription weight loss medications has grown, especially among people already trying to lose weight.
Nearly 45% of adults are open to using medication to aid weight loss, and this interest jumps to 59% among those actively managing their weight.
However, enthusiasm drops for medications or injections not covered by insurance, showing the importance of affordability.

How Common is Weight Regain?
Losing weight is one thing; keeping it off is another.
Research reveals that weight regain is common, with people regaining over half the weight they lost within two years.
By the five-year mark, many have regained more than 80% of the lost weight.
This trend emphasizes that sustainable weight management requires long-term lifestyle adjustments, not just short-term efforts.
Where Experience Meets Science in Weight Management
If you’re seeking safe and effective methods for weight loss, consider a place where experience, science, and convenience come together—Seybold MD, in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
With decades of expertise in weight management, family medicine, and aesthetics, Seybold MD offers personalized solutions that prioritize your health and well-being.
Taking the first step towards your weight goals has never been more supported or accessible.
I'm looking forward to seeing you soon!
Dr. Zsuzsanna Seybold MD
Scientific Sources of all data for weight management in the U.S:
Sources
M.R.P. National Center for Health Statistics. “Attempts to Lose Weight Among Adults in the United States, 2013–2016.” Crescent B. Martin, M.P.H., M.A., Kirsten A. Herrick, Ph.D., M.Sc., Neda Sarafrazi, Ph.D., and Cynthia L. Ogden, Ph.D. July 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db313.htm
National Library of Medicine. “Maintenance of lost weight and long-term management of obesity.” Kevin D. Hall, Ph.D. and Scott Kahan, M.D., MPH. January 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5764193/
KFF. “KFF Health Tracking Poll July 2023: The Public’s Views Of New Prescription Weight Loss Drugs And Prescription Drug Costs.” Alex Montero, Grace Sparks, Ashley Kirzinger, Isabelle Valdes, and Liz Hamel. Aug. 4, 2023. https://www.kff.org/health-costs/poll-finding/kff-health-tracking-poll-july-2023-the-publics-views-of-new-prescription-weight-loss-drugs-and-prescription-drug-costs/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Adult Obesity Facts.” May 17, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. “Overweight & Obesity Statistics.” September 2021. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity
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